'I'm A Beauty Editor And Get Ready In 20 Minutes Each Morning - Here's How'

I sit in the former. While my alarm is set for 6.15am on weekdays, squeezing in an F45 session means I'm low on time for well, everything else. After fine tuning my AM routine with a little preparation the night before, I've managed to get myself presentable in 20 minutes flat.

Yes, as a beauty editor it's my job to trial the latest and greatest products, but I don't exactly have time to do it when I get up (plus, I count a swipe of highlighter as strobing, but moving on.) My 20-minute routine (inclusive of post-gym shower, putting on makeup, doing my hair and getting dressed) is planned down to the second to make sure I get to work as the clock strikes 9.

The night before

Sure, it's nice to walk through the door after a big day, dump your bag and clock up some serious couch time, but time is money, people. Before I go to bed, I think about what I'm going to wear and hang it at the front of my wardrobe. Then, I grab underwear and a bra to match (save digging around for a strapless should the outfit require) as well as two pairs of shoes - one comfortable pair to wear on the commute and the other, usually less comfortable, for the office. I also use the one handbag through the week as I know it has the essentials covered, with a stash of jewellery in it to accessorise on the fly.

The shower: five minutes

Now, for the execution. I jump in the shower and give my hair a good scrub with a hydrating shampoo and conditioner (Oribe Shampoo for Moisture & Control, $45) for a hit of moisture to help keep the frizz levels low when I bring out the blow dryer.

While I'm in there I use an in-shower tanning moisturiser (St Tropez Gradual Tan In Shower, $39.99) so I've always got a healthy glow, as well as give my calves a once over with the razor. I'm in and out of the shower in five minutes.

The makeup: ten minutes

When you're low on time, fingers are your friends. I use a squirt of Trilogy Certified Organic Rosehip Oil, $25.99, to give my face a good dose of colour and moisture. Then I apply It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC Cream, $58, which is bolstered with SPF and other skin loving goodness. Afterwards, I dab Benefit Airbrush Concealer, $34, under my eyes and around my nose to cover any redness. To brighten up my base, I pop a swipe of the sparkly life-in-a-jar that is RMS Living Luminizer, $55, on the tops of my cheekbones, alongside Becca Beach Tint, $45, for a bit of colour that stays put all day.

Onto the eyes. Benefit's Goof Proof Pencil, $42, gives my brows some definition and two coats of Bourjois Volume Reveal mascara, $23, wiggled from the lash base to the tip means I can sidestep eyeliner.

I then go around the outline of my lips with Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat, $35, for a nudey/pinky wash of colour that gives my pout some definition without going all Kylie Jenner.

The hair: five minutes

I scrunch through Oribe Matte Waves Texture Lotion, $42, tip my head forward and roughly blow dry the roots only. The rest usually dries while walking to the bus stop. My outfit takes 37 seconds (instead of 37 minutes) to put on because I picked it the night before. Smart stuff, right.

The bottom line

Courtesy of this morning-saving routine, I still have time to get to my bus without breaking into a run and can grab a large latte on the way to the office.

ANIMALS: Dog Fascinated by Girl's Makeup Routine September 200:33

Curiosity may have killed the cat, but for dogs it’s a one-way ticket to social media stardom. This pup is beguiled by her owner’s morning beauty routine and gets adorably in the way when trying to get a closer look. Credit: Twitter/erkkky

October 10th 2016

10 months ago

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Ashleigh Austen is whimn 's lifestyle editor and writes about everything from way-out wellness trends and workouts to genius beauty hacks and bang-on fashion buys. Fuelled by soy cappuccinos and carrots, she can quote nearly every episode from The Simpsons. Follow her for non-stop serious journalism (lol) on Instagram and Twitter.